Understanding Movements in Judaism

Denominations within Judaism are referred to as movements. This page outlines some of the main movements within Judaism. Today, some Jews consider themselves to be transdenominational or postdenominational. Some MazelTot organizations are transdenominational, others represent the movements below.

Excerpt from Apples & Honey, Volume One, Number Six

Temples, Synagogues, and Shuls: A Guide to the Religious Community

You may have begun celebrating Shabbat at home. You may have started to say a prayer at night with your child. You may even go to a synagogue for the High Holidays, perhaps based on where your friends go, or which synagogue is most convenient. Sooner or later, though, you may feel that it's time to make a commitment to a congregation. For those who have never thought seriously about the different philosophies, theologies and styles that differentiate groups of Jews, here is a primer to help you find a congenial religious home.

Jewish life has never been static. Throughout the centuries there has been a diversity of opinion and interpretation of Jewish law. Today Jews have many options and choices; in fact, the American Jewish community is the most vigorous and religiously diverse Jewish community in the world. America was the first country that guaranteed Jews equal rights, and Judaism has flourished here. Many creative Jewish traditions started in the United States.

Here's a brief, general overview of the four primary denominations of Judaism: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist. Keep in mind that within each of these movements there is a great range of practices.

Orthodox

Orthodox Jews observe traditional religious beliefs and practices. During the 18th century, Orthodox Jews became differentiated as traditional Jews, juxtaposed against those who sought to reform Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe that God dictated the laws directly to Moses on Mount Sinai. These laws or commandments, the 613 mitzvot, contain rules about all aspects of life. Orthodox Jews try to follow them to the letter, including following the dietary laws and observing the Sabbath. In most Orthodox services, men and women sit in separate areas of the synagogue, separated by a divider called a mekhitza. The service is conducted primarily in Hebrew. Women and men have different roles in traditional Judaism: men have more public roles in religious services, whereas women have primary influence in the home and in the raising of children.

In Israel, only Orthodox rabbis are considered official representatives of Judaism, although the Conservative and Reform movements have a presence there.

Among Orthodox Jews there is a wide spectrum of observance - from modern to strictly traditional. The most traditional Hasidic Jews continue to dress in the clothing their ancestors wore in Europe: the men wear long black coats and hats, and married women wear head coverings.

Reform

Throughout history Jews were often discriminated against and segregated from the larger society. The Enlightenment in the 18th century influenced European Jews who were relatively free of persecution. This new sense of freedom spawned the beginnings of the Reform movement, which was started by Jews who wanted a modern view of their religion that would fit more easily into the world. Reform Judaism opened opportunities for women to participate in public religious rituals as men's equals. By the 1970s, the Reform Movement in the U.S. welcomed women as rabbis and cantors. English was added to the prayer service and long Hebrew prayers were shortened.

The most central shift was in theology. Reform Judaism viewed the Torah as "divinely inspired" rather than the actual word of God. As such, the laws themselves were not as important as the values they were trying to teach. Religious practices were viewed as a menu of opportunity: each person could choose for him or herself how observant to be. In recent years, there has been a return to more ritual observances.

Reform Judaism is committed to the themes of social justice in Jewish tradition and turned its energy to making these ethical views a reality. Reform Jews put an emphasis on community service and service to others as a foundation of ethically-based Judaism.

Conservative

The Conservative Movement was a reaction to the dramatic changes of the Reform movement. It began in the 19th century with the feeling among some Jews that Reform Judaism had gone too far. Too many rituals had been thrown out, the Conservative Movement argued; there was virtue in the old.

Conservative Jews believe that Jewish law is, indeed, the law by which people should live. The Conservative Movement believes in taking change slowly, and with great caution, guided by Jewish law but open to modernity. Theologically, Conservative Jews believe God gave the Torah to the Jews, who interpret God's word in the context of history and contemporary society.

Conservative Judaism allows innovations in Jewish law. Services include some English. Although most of the members of this movement have accepted women as rabbis and cantors since 1985, it has been a divisive issue within the movement.

Reconstructionism

The Reconstructionist Movement began in the United States in 1922. Its founder, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, was for many years a prominent rabbi in the Conservative Movement. He broke away because he felt Judaism needed a new definition. To his way of thinking, Judaism was an evolving civilization based in religion. He saw Judaism as the sum of its ethical teachings, literature, history, ideals, and ways of life.

Kaplan rejected the idea of the Jews being chosen by God. He also rejected the notion of a Messiah who would come to save the Jews. The entire idea of God needed to be reworked, he said: God was not an all-powerful being, but the power of our ethics and beliefs for good.

Even though the Reconstructionists are few in number, they have had a powerful intellectual impact on the Jewish community. They introduced the idea of a Bat Mitzvah for girls, the idea of Jewish community centers, and the idea of Havurot, which are small Jewish fellowships. In some ways, though, the Reconstructionists are more traditional in practices than some members of the Reform movement. The Reconstructionists believe that ritual can help knit a community together, and connect it to the larger Jewish community.

Apples & Honey is a publication of the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center. Click here to order printed issues of this newsletter.

 

Excerpt from Society for Humanistic Judaism's Website

Humanistic Judaism

Humanistic Judaism embraces a human-centered philosophy that combines the celebration of Jewish culture and identity with an adherence to humanistic values and ideas. Humanistic Judaism offers a nontheistic alternative in contemporary Jewish life. It was established by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, to provide a home for humanistic, secular, and cultural Jews. Today, Humanistic Judaism is a worldwide movement.

 

Excerpt from ALEPH - Alliance for Jewish Renewal's Website

Jewish Renewal

Jewish renewal is a worldwide, transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism's prophetic and mystical traditions. Jewish renewal seeks to bring creativity, relevance, joy and an all embracing awareness to spiritual practice, as a path to healing our hearts and finding balance and wholeness - tikkun halev. Jewish renewal acts to fully include all Jews and to respect all peoples. Jewish renewal helps to heal the world by promoting justice, freedom, responsibility, caring for all life and the earth that sustains all like - tikkun olam.

 

For more information about any of these movements, please visit:

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